Jazz Notes: Goings on in the jazz world

Today is Dec. 20.

Guitarist Eddie Condon opened his famous jazz club on this day in 1945 in New York's Greenwich Village. The Chicago-style jazz joint had three locations before closing for good in 1985, 10 years after Condon's death.

Walter Page, the Count Basie orchestra's first -- and some say greatest -- bass player died on this date in 1957 at age 57.

Jazz saxophonist and composer Benny Carter received a National Medal of the Arts from President Bill Clinton this day in 2000 in ceremonies at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington.

Looking at today's hip happenings...

On the New York jazz scene... the Ahmad Jamal trio is at Iridium. There's a Lee Morgan retrospective tribute at Birdland through Saturday with Eddie Henderson, Joe Lovano, Benny Green, Steve Kirby and Winard Harper. Jackie McLean and the Cedar Walton trio are at the Village Vanguard this week. Singers Jane Monheit and Andy Bey are at the Blue Note. The Danny Mixon trio is at The Lenox Lounge in Harlem tonight and Saturday.

The Ali Jackson quartet featuring Wynton Marsalis is at TK's Jazz Cafe in Boston tonight and Saturday. Herman Johnson's band is at Ryles in Cambridge, Mass., tonight and Saturday.

In Philadelphia tonight... Mamadou Diabate is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Great Stair Hall tonight. There's a tribute to Milt Jackson at Ortlieb's Jazzhaus with Steve Nelson, Mike LeDonne, Bob Crenshaw and Mickey Roker. Friends featuring Gloria Allende is at Zanzibar Blue tonight. The Grant Stewart-John Swana organ quartet is at Chris's Jazz Cafe.

On the Chicago jazz scene... saxophonist Benny Golson is with the Mike Kocour trio through Sunday at the Jazz Showcase. The Chris Lega-Pat Mallinger quintet is at Andy's tonight. Judy Roberts is at The Chicago Firehouse. Mike Jones's trio is at the Green Mill tonight and Saturday.

The J. Davis trio, Hierospace and Spankie Treats are at HotHouse. Skinny Williams is at Joe's BeBop Cafe and Jazz Emporium. Carol Kagy's quartet is at Katerina's tonight. The King Fleming trio is at Philander's in Oak Park. The Yoko Noge-Dee Alexander Quartet is at Pops for Champagne. Rankinfyle is at Pops of Highwood.

On the New Orleans jazz scene... Earl Brown is at Cafe Sbisa. David Torkanowsky is at Cobalt. Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris is at Dos Jefes. The Soul Rebels Brass Band is at El Matador. The Treme Brass Band is at Donna's. Jeremy Davenport is at the Ritz Carlton's French Quarter Bar.

Jack Maheu and Friends are at Fritzel's. The Devin Phillips quartet is at the Funky Butt. Topsy Chapman and Louis Ford are at Satchmo's jazz room in Harrah's. The Brotherhood of Groove and Have Soul Will Travel are at the House of Blues tonight. Sista Teedy is at Le Meridien.

The Ernie Elly Slickshots with Thais Clark are at the Palm Court. Leroy Jones leads the band tonight at Preservation Hall. The Panorama Jazz Band is at the Seaport Cafe. Ellis Marsalis is at Snug Harbor. The New Orleans Jazz Vipers and the Voodoo Drum Band are at the Spotted Cat.

On the California jazz scene... the Bill Watrous quartet is at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton tonight. Singer Kevin Mahogany is at The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles through Sunday. Ray Pizzi and the Jim Fox quartet are at Spazio in Sherman Oaks tonight.

Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy is at Charlie O's in Valley Glen tonight and Saturday with the John Heard trio. The Charlie Hunter Group is at Yoshi's in Oakland through Christmas eve. Saxophonist Dave Koz brings the sixth annual "A Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour" with David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell and Peter White to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood tonight.